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County commissioners consider restrictions on some rural development

Proposed changes to Leon County's 1990 Comprehensive Plan — a blueprint for growth and development — are meant to avoid another Crump Road controversy, which prompted a grassroots campaign from the Keep It Rural Coalition.

County commissioners consider restrictions on some rural development

An earlier controversy to build a convenience store at a rural eastern Leon County intersection is forcing more clarity and restrictions for minor commercial development in rural areas.

The first of two public hearings on the issue will be at 6 p.m. today during the County Commission meeting.

Dozens of residents this year opposed the convenience store proposal on Crump and Miccosukee roads, roughly 10 miles from Tallahassee's downtown. It's since gone through the permitting process and received tentative approval that awaits a decision from a May 20 appeal filed with the Department of Development Support and Environmental Management.

Proposed changes to Leon County's 1990 Comprehensive Plan — a blueprint for growth and development — are meant to avoid another Crump Road controversy, which prompted a grassroots campaign from the Keep It Rural Coalition. By barring minor commercial uses in intersections with local roads, that prevents certain development at approximately 168 commercial intersections in rural areas.

"I think it's a very significant step and I do believe it goes far to address concerns for people living in rural areas," County Administrator Vince Long said.

Three dozen other intersections countywide could see future development under the comp plan. However, officials say changes aren't prompting open season for urban sprawl.

"We have to make tuneups over the years and this is one of those issues that no one saw coming," Commissioner Bryan Desloge said. "We're taking this one step at a time. Is it perfect? No, but it's an improvement step and it moves us in the direction that everybody thinks we should be going."

Commissioner Mary Ann Lindley said the comp plan has allowed minimal development on Crump Road but no previous proposal included gas pumps and electric signage, which some declared would ruin the area's rural integrity.

However, Lindly said while some residents may welcome minor development and added commercial uses, those may not be appropriate for all remaining intersections. Any future proposals would be subjected to proper permitting and a vetting process.

"I don't think you can assume that everybody who lives in the rural areas would necessarily oppose development. It's a big county," Lindley said. "What may be opposed in one area may not be opposed in another."

Commissioners also will discuss an update on Leon County's efforts to reduce infant mortality and a proposal to give $40,000 to Whole Child Leon, a Tallahassee-based nonprofit.

The commission requested an update on community approaches to reduce infant mortality following Commissioner Nick Maddox's proposal to give Whole Child Leon more money. State health reports showed an encouraging decline last year in Leon County's infant mortality rate to 5.3 deaths per 1,000 live births and the rate for black babies dropped to 4.8 per 1,000 live births.

In 2012, the county's infant mortality rate was 9.3 per live births. Health officials caution three-year trends are a more accurate measure of infant mortality rates compared to annual figures since small changes in the numbers can create large swings in yearly rates.

Giving additional funds to Whole Child Leon means agencies — including Capital Area Healthy Start, Bond Community Health Center and Neighborhood Medical Center — would receive less county funds supporting the CareNet program, which provides healthcare to indigent residents. Maddox and other commissioners now say they'd rather see the money stay put.

"At this point, what I want to do is have the providers who are a part of the CareNet funding pay close attention to make sure that the rate continues to decrease," Maddox said. "Even though we have had a sharp decrease between this year and last year, we still need to keep an eye on it because one child's life loss is one too many."